Avoiding Pitfalls in the Self-Employed Insurance Market
Finding health care insurance as a self-employed worker, or someone who is considering starting their own firm, is one of the most daunting tasks. Given that most employers handle health insurance coverage for their employees, most Americans are woefully unprepared to enter a consumer-focused health care marketplace. There are quite a few important pitfalls that one will need to avoid when shopping for self-employed insurance.
The most debilitating pitfall is not understanding when health insurance does not cover preexisting illness. If you have a major pre-existing illness, you will likely be rejected by most health insurance companies and forced to pay heavy surcharges at others. Given the highly regulated nature of the insurance market, it is important that you learn exactly what your individual state's regulations are for individual insurance. Some states offer addition protection to individual insurers, above what the federal government offers and it is wise to know what self-employed health insurance regulations exist in your state.
Certain types of "specialized" insurance often come with low premiums and high limitations. Some of the things to be especially skeptical of include: one-disease insurance, accident insurance, student health insurance, indemnity policies, direct mail solicitation insurance, and celebrity-pitched insurance. Not these are always bad, but be sure to do extra legwork to figure out if they are actually worth the money they cost - even if the premiums seem low.
Of course, there are some more obvious pitfalls when looking for self-employed health insurance - things that apply to any consumer area. The most important of which, is know the legitimacy of who you are dealing with. Have you heard of the company? Do you know someone else who uses them? Are they accredited with any organization that boosts their legitimacy? These are important questions to ask, because there are many fly-by-nights and less than scrupulous health insurance providers out there who prey solely on individual insurance consumers. Also, if you are working through an agent, or third party, you'll need to do additional due diligence to make sure that this agent is fully licensed in your state and is an authorized representative of the provider that you choose.
Despite all of these pitfalls self-employed insurance is not impossible to find. While the constructs of the current health care system in the United States makes it difficult to traverse the myriad programs and plans, simply spending some time to do your own homework on the issue will help you to make an informed decision.
The most debilitating pitfall is not understanding when health insurance does not cover preexisting illness. If you have a major pre-existing illness, you will likely be rejected by most health insurance companies and forced to pay heavy surcharges at others. Given the highly regulated nature of the insurance market, it is important that you learn exactly what your individual state's regulations are for individual insurance. Some states offer addition protection to individual insurers, above what the federal government offers and it is wise to know what self-employed health insurance regulations exist in your state.
Certain types of "specialized" insurance often come with low premiums and high limitations. Some of the things to be especially skeptical of include: one-disease insurance, accident insurance, student health insurance, indemnity policies, direct mail solicitation insurance, and celebrity-pitched insurance. Not these are always bad, but be sure to do extra legwork to figure out if they are actually worth the money they cost - even if the premiums seem low.
Of course, there are some more obvious pitfalls when looking for self-employed health insurance - things that apply to any consumer area. The most important of which, is know the legitimacy of who you are dealing with. Have you heard of the company? Do you know someone else who uses them? Are they accredited with any organization that boosts their legitimacy? These are important questions to ask, because there are many fly-by-nights and less than scrupulous health insurance providers out there who prey solely on individual insurance consumers. Also, if you are working through an agent, or third party, you'll need to do additional due diligence to make sure that this agent is fully licensed in your state and is an authorized representative of the provider that you choose.
Despite all of these pitfalls self-employed insurance is not impossible to find. While the constructs of the current health care system in the United States makes it difficult to traverse the myriad programs and plans, simply spending some time to do your own homework on the issue will help you to make an informed decision.
Information You Need to Get a Free Mobile Home Insurance Quote Online
When you get a mobile home insurance quote online, you are not bound to sign any insurance contract. After all, the estimate will rarely be the exact rate you will end up with in the end. The online quote is just a way of letting you know what is possible.
Mobile homes are different from standard construction homes. There are types of coverage that are included in mobile home insurance policies that are unique. For example, the cost of transporting your home to remove it from the path of a disaster will be covered.
Make sure your insurance mobile home insurance quote includes all the types of coverage that pertain to mobile homes. The estimate should spell out what you would be getting for your money.
The online service that offers to make the quote will need three kinds of information from you. They will need to know your personal information. The information about your mobile home will be important. Finally, the service will want to know about any policies you have on your mobile home at present.
Insurance quote services cannot do their jobs without your personal information.
Your first and last names are required, obviously. Because the quote is done on the internet, your email address will be necessary as well. The company will want your mailing address in case an insurance sale can be made.
Your date of birth may or may not be required. It is always requested, but often it is up to you whether you fill in that square. They will want your phone number. The company will give you the choice of whether you want them to contact them about the rates quoted.
Your mobile home has to be described fully to get an accurate quote.
The quote service needs to know where your mobile home is presently located. This includes mobile home park and lot number. The address should be given along with information about where the mobile home is located in relation to a city or town.
Then come the most important facts. Whether you own and live in your home will be discussed. The model year, manufacturer, date it was bought, and how much you paid are all included. It is also a factor if your mobile home is not tied down.
All information about your current mobile home policy is purely optional.
The service will ask about your insurance company, the amounts you are covered for, and your deductibles. They will also want to know how much and how often you pay your insurance. It is all designed to make their selling job easier.
Getting a mobile home insurance quote from an internet source can be scary. You do not know the people you are dealing with and you do not know if you can trust them. Just remember that you are just exploring your options. You are under no obligations to do anything.
Mobile homes are different from standard construction homes. There are types of coverage that are included in mobile home insurance policies that are unique. For example, the cost of transporting your home to remove it from the path of a disaster will be covered.
Make sure your insurance mobile home insurance quote includes all the types of coverage that pertain to mobile homes. The estimate should spell out what you would be getting for your money.
The online service that offers to make the quote will need three kinds of information from you. They will need to know your personal information. The information about your mobile home will be important. Finally, the service will want to know about any policies you have on your mobile home at present.
Insurance quote services cannot do their jobs without your personal information.
Your first and last names are required, obviously. Because the quote is done on the internet, your email address will be necessary as well. The company will want your mailing address in case an insurance sale can be made.
Your date of birth may or may not be required. It is always requested, but often it is up to you whether you fill in that square. They will want your phone number. The company will give you the choice of whether you want them to contact them about the rates quoted.
Your mobile home has to be described fully to get an accurate quote.
The quote service needs to know where your mobile home is presently located. This includes mobile home park and lot number. The address should be given along with information about where the mobile home is located in relation to a city or town.
Then come the most important facts. Whether you own and live in your home will be discussed. The model year, manufacturer, date it was bought, and how much you paid are all included. It is also a factor if your mobile home is not tied down.
All information about your current mobile home policy is purely optional.
The service will ask about your insurance company, the amounts you are covered for, and your deductibles. They will also want to know how much and how often you pay your insurance. It is all designed to make their selling job easier.
Getting a mobile home insurance quote from an internet source can be scary. You do not know the people you are dealing with and you do not know if you can trust them. Just remember that you are just exploring your options. You are under no obligations to do anything.
How to Handle Claims on Your Home Insurance Cleveland Ohio
The Ohio Department of Insurance was busy last year answering and fixing complaints. Some people had been upset about their home insurance Cleveland Ohio and other cities in the state. They felt that their claims should not have been denied.
The Department of Insurance reviewed the complaints and changed the outcomes on many of the claims. As a result, they are interested in warning consumers about how to avoid the pitfalls of filing insurance claims.
There are seven ways to avoid problems with claims.
* You need to understand your policy from the start. Think of the contract as an agreement between you and your insurance company about what will be done by both parties. You cannot expect more than the policy states, just as the company is bound to follow through with their promises.
* Do not wait to file your claim. Some policies have a specific window of opportunity of when you can file. Even if that is not the case, your damage will be harder to prove as time goes by. You might also lose precious receipts.
* Make sure you give the insurance company the facts they need. If you hold back information the agent or adjuster will not know the specifics of your claim. That means you will not get compensation that equals the value of your losses. Whatever you do, give correct information, or the process will come to a standstill.
* If you do not understand anything about your claim, ask. You have a right to know all about your policy. If a claim is denied, it is your company's responsibility to explain the reason they denied it. It is better to have a disagreement that you can address proactively than to be confused about what is going on.
* You will need to keep copies of all the letters you send to and receive from the insurance company. You must also take notes whenever you talk on the phone or in person. Always make sure your home insurance Cleveland Ohio is the reference point for all discussions.
* Consider settlement offers thoroughly before you accept. Too often, home owners take the first offer they get without thinking. Later, they realize that the settlement will not cover their damages or set their house back to its original condition. Negotiate a better settlement if you are not satisfied. Use a professional if you need to.
* Handle temporary repairs correctly. Take pictures of the damage. Make the repairs that need to be done to protect your property until more comprehensive work can be done. Keep any receipts you have for the temporary repairs.
Your home insurance Cleveland Ohio is there to give you peace of mind. A part of that peace comes in knowing that you can deal with the claims adequately. Be prepared and you can do it.
The Department of Insurance reviewed the complaints and changed the outcomes on many of the claims. As a result, they are interested in warning consumers about how to avoid the pitfalls of filing insurance claims.
There are seven ways to avoid problems with claims.
* You need to understand your policy from the start. Think of the contract as an agreement between you and your insurance company about what will be done by both parties. You cannot expect more than the policy states, just as the company is bound to follow through with their promises.
* Do not wait to file your claim. Some policies have a specific window of opportunity of when you can file. Even if that is not the case, your damage will be harder to prove as time goes by. You might also lose precious receipts.
* Make sure you give the insurance company the facts they need. If you hold back information the agent or adjuster will not know the specifics of your claim. That means you will not get compensation that equals the value of your losses. Whatever you do, give correct information, or the process will come to a standstill.
* If you do not understand anything about your claim, ask. You have a right to know all about your policy. If a claim is denied, it is your company's responsibility to explain the reason they denied it. It is better to have a disagreement that you can address proactively than to be confused about what is going on.
* You will need to keep copies of all the letters you send to and receive from the insurance company. You must also take notes whenever you talk on the phone or in person. Always make sure your home insurance Cleveland Ohio is the reference point for all discussions.
* Consider settlement offers thoroughly before you accept. Too often, home owners take the first offer they get without thinking. Later, they realize that the settlement will not cover their damages or set their house back to its original condition. Negotiate a better settlement if you are not satisfied. Use a professional if you need to.
* Handle temporary repairs correctly. Take pictures of the damage. Make the repairs that need to be done to protect your property until more comprehensive work can be done. Keep any receipts you have for the temporary repairs.
Your home insurance Cleveland Ohio is there to give you peace of mind. A part of that peace comes in knowing that you can deal with the claims adequately. Be prepared and you can do it.
